Jobs and Internships – AdmitOne™http://admitoneblog.org
Expert Advice on College AdmissionsWed, 28 Feb 2018 20:51:32 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.2Asking for a Referencehttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=2798
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=2798#respondWed, 10 Jan 2018 16:54:25 +0000http://admitoneblog.org/?p=2798So, you're in the middle of a summer job and it's going really well. You're learning a lot about the industry you're working in, strengthening your office skills and even making some money. What's more, you seem to have a great rapport with your boss. Perhaps in the next few weeks, you might consider asking [...]

]]>So, you're in the middle of a summer job and it's going really well. You're learning a lot about the industry you're working in, strengthening your office skills and even making some money. What's more, you seem to have a great rapport with your boss. Perhaps in the next few weeks, you might consider asking him or her for a reference and/or recommendation. After all, you may need one for your next job/internship or upcoming scholarship and college applications. Of course, this begs the question - how should you go about this (potentially intimidating) task?

To begin with, when asking for a reference or recommendation, it's best to inquire in person or over the phone if possible. This generally helps make it a warmer, more affable exchange. Email often feels less personal and your request can easily get buried within an inbox.

No matter your approach, it's smart to let your potential references know about your next steps and future plans. This will obviously provide some insight into why you're asking and help inform their decisions. You also want to couch the favor in a manner that doesn't place pressure on the individuals and lets them gently turn you down if need be. Ask if they'd feel comfortable advocating for you and if their schedules would allow for it. And do not operate on the assumption that they will say yes.

If you sense some hesitation on anyone's part, it makes sense to rethink your references. Don't use a person who says yes simply to be nice. You don't need someone who will provide a lackluster recommendation. A hollow reference is virtually the same as soliciting a negative one. You want to be confident in knowing this person will speak highly of you.

Moreover, never list references without checking with them first. Even if they think the world of you, it's polite (and proper professional etiquette) to inquire beforehand. In addition, you also want to give them a heads up after you've given their names out. You don't want references caught off-guard or feeling wholly unprepared when a call comes in, seemingly out of the blue. A little notice will be greatly appreciated and allow your references time to reflect on your skills and assets.

You should also share specifics about the position, scholarship, etc. to which you're applying. This will let your references tailor their comments accordingly and likely help strengthen the recommendations. Further, think about sending your references a cheat sheet - overviews of the projects you worked together, reports you wrote, scenarios in which you went above and beyond. The more detail they are able to include, the better the references will be.

Finally, it's always a good idea to follow up. Tell your references/recommenders if you landed that coveted gig, were accepted at your top school or if you received that prestigious scholarship. And let them know if you're still applying to colleges, remaining on the job hunt, etc. Most importantly, thank them for their time and assistance. It doesn't take a lot to demonstrate gratitude and it can go a long way.

As we stated above, asking for a reference can be a slightly nerve-wracking experience. Unfortunately, it's often standard professional practice. However, if you follow the advice outlined in this article, you should get through the ordeal relatively unscathed!

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=27980Extracurricular Activities and Careershttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=2761
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=2761#respondSun, 03 Dec 2017 15:22:10 +0000http://admitoneblog.org/?p=2761When thinking about possible careers, it’s natural that you’d first turn to your academic interests. After all, we tend to link jobs with education. However, the classroom is not the only place that can lead to career ideas and ambitions. If you’re having trouble zeroing in on your options, we recommend looking to your extracurricular [...]

]]>When thinking about possible careers, it’s natural that you’d first turn to your academic interests. After all, we tend to link jobs with education. However, the classroom is not the only place that can lead to career ideas and ambitions. If you’re having trouble zeroing in on your options, we recommend looking to your extracurricular activities as well.

To begin with, extracurricular participation can confirm and/or enhance your academic interests. For example, perhaps your enjoyment of French class convinces you to join the (imaginatively named) French Club. As a result, you have additional opportunities to practice your French and interact with French culture – be it through eating French delicacies at a meeting, watching French films together, etc. This can all serve to strengthen your language skills and cement your passion for all things related to France. In turn, it might spark a desire to become a French teacher, a translator or even to open your own crêperie (to name a few options).

School clubs also allow you to participate in new activities which can ignite new interests/obsessions. Maybe on a whim, you decide to sign up for the debate team. And you awaken a latent love for current events and argument. Well, now you can take this personal discovery and figure out what types of jobs might rely on or benefit from these talents.

Beyond helping you consider potential careers and professional goals, extracurricular activities can also make you a more attractive candidate (when it comes time to actually apply for jobs and internships). Indeed, through club participation, you can acquire and hone a number of soft skills that are valuable to many employers. For starters, since many activities take place within a group setting, you automatically get experience flexing your teamwork muscles. Additionally, extracurriculars also call for strong time management skills. You learn to balance your involvement with homework and family obligations. And, of course, you must display at least a modicum of personal responsibility as an athlete, club member, etc.

Moreover, you can spin the work you do within these organizations into concrete examples of your experience. Many of these clubs have officers who take charge in running things; if you become vice president or president, you have strong evidence of your leadership capability. Or, say you help to spearhead the planning committee for the sophomore semi-formal. Well, now you have some experience with event organizing! And if you join the staff of the school newspaper, you’ll have writing clips you can show to potential employers.

Extracurricular participation may also help you expand your network. Certainly, you are likely to make new friends through the clubs you join. Further, your activities can also put you in touch with possible mentors and/or established professionals. Here’s yet another example for you – let’s say, through your school’s community service club, you begin tutoring kids at a nearby shelter. That experience is thoroughly rewarding and drives you to become interested in social work, homeless advocacy, urban planning, etc. Fortunately, you now have direct contact with the shelter employees. You can ask them how they got started, what their educational backgrounds are and what steps they might recommend you taking. Even better, you can see if they possibly have any part-time, entry-level openings. And, if you’re really lucky, you may be able to get a recommendation or reference from them.

If you’re struggling to come up with potential career options, don’t hesitate to turn to your extracurricular interests. After school clubs and activities aren’t merely for fun and socializing. They allow you to further explore your passions, gaining worthwhile experience in the process. And, as a result, they can certainly lead you to viable career options!

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=27610Summer Job Etiquettehttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=2417
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=2417#respondWed, 26 Jun 2013 19:36:38 +0000http://admitoneblog.org/?p=2417Ah, summer; the favorite season of most students! Academic pressures grind to a halt, life moves at a leisurely pace and all that’s left on the docket are BBQs, bathing suits and the beach. However, now that you’re in high school, your parents might also be nudging you to take on more responsibilities. Indeed, before [...]

]]>Ah, summer; the favorite season of most students! Academic pressures grind to a halt, life moves at a leisurely pace and all that’s left on the docket are BBQs, bathing suits and the beach. However, now that you’re in high school, your parents might also be nudging you to take on more responsibilities. Indeed, before you know it, your free time could be infringed upon by that adolescent rite of passage known as the summer job.

Though you might groan and grumble, there are certainly some positives to landing a summer gig (really!). For starters, you will gain insight into the working world. Moreover, you’ll also have some extra cash in your pocket and you’re bound to feel productive. Of course, in order to be successful, you have to understand how to comport yourself in a professional setting.

First and foremost, punctuality is key. Remember – your scheduled hours aren’t a friendly suggestion. Your boss won’t care if you were out with friends or up late watching a Game of Thrones marathon. He/she is depending on you to be there.

Additionally, be mindful of your dress and appearance. Though your typical summer uniform might be cut-offs and a ratty tank top, that’s not appropriate clothing for most office environments. Even if you work in a casual setting, try and avoid wearing items with holes, old t-shirts and flip-flops. If you dress neatly (and perhaps a touch on the conservative side), your colleagues and customers will treat you with more respect. And, importantly, your boss will see that you are taking the job seriously.

Though this might sound obvious, you should also be sure to focus on the work at hand. In other words, unless you’re specifically given the okay by a superior, don’t fritter away your working hours glued to the internet or your iPhone. You can’t spend the day making personal phone calls or listening to the newest album you’ve downloaded. By virtue of being plugged in, you’re more likely to be distracted. Hence, it’s easier to make mistakes, it takes longer to complete tasks and you might not pay full attention to your co-workers or clientele. Put the gadgets away and save the surfing for when you get home.

Further, if you want to thrive, simply adhere to the basic tenets of manners and social etiquette. Indeed, it’s important to greet people with a friendly hello, a handshake and a smile. If someone approaches you with a question or assignment, don’t dismiss or interrupt. Listen in full before you respond. Similarly, you don’t want to slouch, avert eye contact or appear disengaged in any way. Show people you’re enthusiastic and ready to help. And, of course, respect people’s time and personal space.

Though you might be reluctant to leave the comforts of your den, a summer job can actually be a great experience. You’ll interact with new people, develop new skills and maybe even gain an idea of what type of career path you’ll want to pursue in the future. Follow the suggestions above and you will be on track to a rewarding and successful summer. Then again, maybe a summer job will make high school seem all the more attractive. So really, it’s a win-win.

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=24170Get a Job!http://admitoneblog.org/?p=1667
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=1667#respondThu, 07 Jun 2012 21:03:16 +0000http://admitoneblog.org/?p=1667It's the moment you wait for all year. You've completed your last quadratic equation, spouted your last fact about the Battle of the Bulge and conjugated that last Spanish verb. The final bell has rung and now several months of freedom lay stretched out before you. Yup – summer is finally here. You can revel [...]

]]>It's the moment you wait for all year. You've completed your last quadratic equation, spouted your last fact about the Battle of the Bulge and conjugated that last Spanish verb. The final bell has rung and now several months of freedom lay stretched out before you. Yup – summer is finally here. You can revel in doing absolutely nothing. However, if by design (or accident) you don't have any plans might we suggest looking for a job (even part-time)?

Summer jobs provide invaluable experience (and make your parents happy, very happy). And though a slow economy has, in recent years, shrunk the number of available summer jobs, there's been some growth as of late. Indeed, thousands of high school students are getting their first taste of the working world. So don't get too discouraged; instead, start pounding the pavement!

All right, so why do summer jobs actually trump your daily tanning sessions? For one, you'll be able to acquire and hone new skills. Whether it's learning how to operate a cash register, create a spreadsheet, delegate tasks or communicate with a customer, you'll start to understand how to navigate the work place. You will discover how to carry yourself in a professional environment and how to accept and take on responsibility.

Further, summer jobs are a fantastic way to test out potential academic and career interests. Think you might want to be an entrepreneur? Try getting a job with a local small business. Are you destined to become the next star of the culinary world? Start learning the ropes as you wait tables. By testing the waters in a low stakes environment, you'll begin to get a sense of where your passions might lay and what you might want out of a job and/or career in the future.

Summer jobs will also allow you some financial independence. Rather than begging mom and dad for gas money or cash to purchase that new shirt you've been eyeing, you can spend your hard earned dollars as you like. You'll experience the satisfaction of providing for yourself and your parents will enjoy the satisfaction of having a thicker wallet.

Conversely, you might learn about fiscal responsibility as well. After all your toil and sweat, you might decide you don't want to blow your money on lattes and video games. In fact, you could choose to save up for bigger and/or more important purchases like a car or a laptop for college.

Finally, as we mentioned earlier, acquiring a summer job will simply give you experience. And ultimately, employers want to see that you've shown initiative and proven yourself before. They want to hire people who have demonstrated a work ethic and recognize how to behave in an office. In other words, the more work experience you have the more attractive you'll become to companies in the future. We realize that high school is stressful and that the summer months are perfect for kicking back and unwinding. And we're certainly not condemning relaxation. However, you can still enjoy a summer that combines productivity and leisure. And in the end, we think you'll appreciate the season more.

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=16670Job Hunting Tactics for Teenshttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=1671
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=1671#respondWed, 06 Jun 2012 21:20:19 +0000http://admitoneblog.org/?p=1671All right – we know you've likely had your ear talked off about getting a job this summer. And whether or not you agreed all along or you've simply succumb to the pressure, you have decided this is the best course action. The only problem – how do you actually go about finding an opening, [...]

]]>All right – we know you've likely had your ear talked off about getting a job this summer. And whether or not you agreed all along or you've simply succumb to the pressure, you have decided this is the best course action. The only problem – how do you actually go about finding an opening, esp. when you have limited experience? Here are a few tips to get started:

Draft a Resume Okay, we're going to stop you before you start protesting and proclaiming you have nothing to include. Even if you've never held a "real" job before, you can likely create a resume. Have you joined any clubs in high school? Do you volunteer anywhere in your community? Have you won any academic awards? All of these opportunities and experiences can be used to demonstrate your interests, skills and talents to employers. As an added bonus they'll likely be impressed by your perceived professionalism.

Network Whether you are a brand new job seeker or you're looking to become vice president of a company, networking is essential to any search. Indeed, the people you know and the people your friends and extended family know are your best bet for securing employment. Ask around and see if anyone has any recommendations or has heard of any openings.

Cast a Wide Net You shouldn't submit an application (or two), pat yourself on the back and call it a day. A weak economy means the job market is über competitive. The more you reach out to companies and organizations, the greater your chances for landing a gig.

Follow Up Don't just simply drop off a resume and then sit around twiddling your thumbs. Companies are busy and they are likely to receive numerous applications. You don't want to fall through the cracks. It's important to reach back out. This demonstrates both tenacity and continued interest. Careful though – there's a fine line between gentle inquiry and badgering.

Dress appropriately This may seem a tad obvious but first impressions are everything. Even if you're applying for a job that allows jean shorts and flip-flops in the work place, you should initially dress conservatively (think business casual). This will reflect maturity and show that you're serious about the position.

We won't sugar coat it. Job hunting is difficult. It takes discipline, drive and patience. Every application won't necessarily result in an offer. However, if you follow these suggestions, stay the course and don't lose hope, you are likely to discover an opportunity waiting for you!

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=7840How What You Do Over Summer Vacation Will – or Won’t – Impact College Admissionshttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=778
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=778#respondTue, 12 Jul 2011 13:28:43 +0000http://ec2-107-22-64-204.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?p=778Ah summer – just relaxing in a hammock on a beach or by the pool, sipping fruity drinks and watching time pass oh so slowly. Right. For most rising high school seniors (and juniors and, Lord help me, freshmen and sophomores), summer is a mad frenzy of activity. Somehow, this insanity has been linked to [...]

]]>Ah summer – just relaxing in a hammock on a beach or by the pool, sipping fruity drinks and watching time pass oh so slowly. Right.

For most rising high school seniors (and juniors and, Lord help me, freshmen and sophomores), summer is a mad frenzy of activity. Somehow, this insanity has been linked to the college admissions process, with families believing, for no clear reason, that enrolling their offspring in various programs will advantage them in getting accepted into some school or another.

The reality is that summer conferences, camps, seminars, and similar activities can be incredibly educational, add great perspective, and develop lifelong and critical networks for students’ future career paths. They won’t, however, make a huge difference on a college application.

This is challenging for me to share, as I have a vested interest in feeding the frenzy. Along with being an admissions dean, I am the founder and executive director of two incredible summer programs: the Washington Journalism and Media Conference and the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. Both are highly competitive, drawing applicants and nominees from across the country for incredible in-depth educational experiences. My university also works closely with the National Youth Leaders Conference and the National Youth Forums on Medicine and Law, making sure their curriculums are also up to our standards and evaluating student work products to enable us to offer credit for those wonderful programs.

For more than 20 years in college admissions, I have watched as the best of these programs offer truly transformative experiences. I have been thrilled when students, years after the programs, correspond with me about how those programs helped shape their career choices and inspired them to make our world a better place.

I’m fairly confident, however, that they didn’t get anyone into college.

I should qualify that bold and somewhat damaging statement. For students who may have a passion for some particular career or academic path, conferences and seminars like the ones above can offer focus and networking. Such experiences can be tremendous in helping students in their personal statements and essays for college applications and perhaps in some cases even make some difference in a college admissions decision or two. But that would be the exception.

Be seeing you.

If you read the prior posts in this blog (and you should), you’ll find I spend quite a bit of time trying to convince families that the vast bulk of the admissions decision is based on academic record. College essays and extra-curricular activities have some, but limited, weight in the decision-making process. Simply participating in and listing these activities has virtually no chance of impacting a college admissions decision, unless the institution has a vested interest in recruiting from that particular program -- a rare occurrence.

Rather than seeing this as a negative, I hope this will free families to select programs not based on some mythical faith in influencing admissions decisions, but instead on student interests and passions. I even have some faint hope that a few students might leave a week or two here or there to lounge by a pool, or rest in a hammock. Unless they are invited to the conferences I am hosting, in which case, what the heck are you doing just lying around? Your future is coming!

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=7780Do Entrepreneurs Need to Go to College?http://admitoneblog.org/?p=768
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=768#respondWed, 01 Jun 2011 13:15:55 +0000http://ec2-107-22-64-204.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?p=768BNET recently reported on 20 Under 20 Thiel Fellows. The 20 fellows receive $100,000 each, over two years, to drop out of – or plain not attend – college in order to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Peter Thiel, cofounder of PayPal, established the foundation and funds the award. But is Thiel telling today’s young people [...]

]]>BNET recently reported on 20 Under 20 Thiel Fellows. The 20 fellows receive $100,000 each, over two years, to drop out of – or plain not attend – college in order to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Peter Thiel, cofounder of PayPal, established the foundation and funds the award.

But is Thiel telling today’s young people that college is a waste of time?

We here at MyCollegeOptions.org would disagree. We have a whole section of articles and opinions explaining why college is important.

In the BNET piece, Lanny Goodman – an entrepreneur himself – said this in favor of college: “What we don’t need in this country is more uneducated entrepreneurs with no sense of history, culture or values other than making money. I’m sorry, but business is about living. Life is not about business. Without education and a larger context than making money, how are we to make rational decisions that benefit society and the planet for generations to come rather than just what will benefit our shareholders for the next quarter?”

What do you think of a program that encourages leadership without college to provide a basis?

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=7680Strategies for Picking a College Majorhttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=746
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=746#commentsWed, 09 Mar 2011 13:08:29 +0000http://ec2-107-22-64-204.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?p=746You’ve spent countless hours combing through college brochures, touring campuses (both in person and virtually) and painstakingly perfecting your application essay. You anxiously played the waiting game, fretting about which schools would grant you that coveted acceptance letter. And you heavily weighed the pros and cons of every university you got into, agonizing over which [...]

]]>You’ve spent countless hours combing through college brochures, touring campuses (both in person and virtually) and painstakingly perfecting your application essay. You anxiously played the waiting game, fretting about which schools would grant you that coveted acceptance letter. And you heavily weighed the pros and cons of every university you got into, agonizing over which was ultimately the best place for you. Now you can finally kick back and relax. There’s just one thing: You need to pick a major.

Don’t worry; there’s no need to hyperventilate. There are no wrong decisions. Your college major won’t lock you into a solitary career track. It certainly isn’t the be-all and end-all, and it won’t be the sole defining aspect of your life. Plenty of undergrads change their majors during college, and plenty more graduates change careers throughout their professional lives.

Of course, you will eventually need to make a decision about your college major. Here are some tips to ease you into the selection process.

9 Tips to Help You Pick a College Major

Take Some Time to Explore Different College Majors

College is all about being exposed to new ideas and new experiences. You’ll have the opportunity to investigate subjects and fields you were never able to while in high school. You could easily uncover passions and interests you didn’t know existed. Who knows? Maybe you’re destined to become a famous cultural anthropologist or a renowned hydrologist.

Don’t Immediately Discount a Subject

Conversely, don’t automatically rule out a discipline because you disliked it in high school. Academic subjects you once thought boring could become fascinating in a new setting. Perhaps you are a math whiz after all!

Consider Your Current Interests and Hobbies

We know this might sound a little obvious. However, you should take some time to really reflect on what you enjoy doing, both in and out of school. There is a great likelihood you can find a corresponding college major.

Think About What You Value

What do you think will be most important to you upon graduating? Are you hoping to make a lot of money right out of the gate? Do you want a job that directly helps people? Will you thrive on high pressure and prestige, or are laid-back vibes and non-corporate entities a must? Are you seeking stability, or is adventure necessary? It’s likely that an accounting major and a ceramics major will lead to far different answers and outcomes.

Check Out the Course Catalogue and Class Syllabi

While they might not be as intriguing as the latest best seller sitting on your nightstand, the course catalogue and class syllabi will give you better insight into what a particular major entails. You’ll learn the types of reading and assignments that will be required of you. If you get goose bumps, perhaps it’s worth exploring. And if it elicits an automatic groan, well it might be best to move on.

Talk to Your Advisors

Let them know your interests and academic strengths. They know what most disciplines demand and what it takes to tackle certain subjects. And they can certainly highlight both classes that are popular with students in general and ones that might hold particular appeal for you.

Ask an Upperclassman

Hey, more seasoned students have been there. It’s quite possible they struggled with their decisions as well. Don’t be afraid to ask for some advice and learn how they went about the process.

Consult Industry Professionals

Is there a certain field you’re hoping to work in after you graduate? Try and reach out to people who are currently active in that particular industry. What skill-sets do they find important (or even mandatory) for success? What did they study in college? Does it relate to the job they now hold? Learning about the path someone else took can be invaluable, and it can help inform the direction you ultimately choose to take.

You Can Choose More Than One College Major

You read that correctly. Don’t worry if your heartstrings are tugging at multiple fields. Most schools will allow you to double (or even triple) major. And if you’re overwhelmed by the thought of double-majoring but want to gain a breadth of knowledge on a particular subject, you can also consider a minor.

We know -- commitment can be hard. However, you need to remember that there are no wrong choices. Your major will not necessarily determine your career. Doctors have majored in art history and professional musicians have majored in economics. As long as you select a subject you find interesting and engaging, you’ll do just fine.

]]>http://admitoneblog.org/?feed=rss2&p=7462Your College Minor May Make a Major Differencehttp://admitoneblog.org/?p=571
http://admitoneblog.org/?p=571#respondFri, 11 Feb 2011 08:26:50 +0000http://ec2-107-22-64-204.compute-1.amazonaws.com/?p=571This blog post has been written by Patrick O’Brien, author of Making College Count. If choosing a college major isn’t tough enough, what about a minor? Minors are not available in all programs, but where they are offered, they open one more opportunity for you to differentiate your academic record from those of your classmates. [...]

If choosing a college major isn’t tough enough, what about a minor? Minors are not available in all programs, but where they are offered, they open one more opportunity for you to differentiate your academic record from those of your classmates.

The greatest impact of a minor is that it allows you to demonstrate your interest and proficiency in more than one subject. If you’re a Computer Science major with an Ecology minor, you project a very different image than if you took only technical courses. The Ecology minor tells prospective employers that you can do much more than crunch code.

In addition, a college minor says something important about effort, one of the key winning characteristics that employers seek in potential employees. Making the effort to complete a minor, and especially to earn a solid GPA in that minor, sends the signal that you’re serious about your education and about achievement. Any employer would be impressed with the discipline required to succeed in both a major and a minor.

Selecting the right minor should incorporate several factors. First, pick one that you’re willing to work hard to master. Second, consider minors that will make you more valuable in the job market. And finally, creating a contrast between your major and minor is also desirable. If your major is British Lit, a minor in Education, Economics, or Physics suggest a more well-rounded background than a minor in American Lit.

You can also use a minor to make a non-technical major more valuable. For instance, if your major is Management, you will compete against other students in your major for jobs. If you have a minor in Computer Science, Physics, or another technical field, you will be much more attractive to firms in those specific fields. And once you’re on the job, you’ll require less training and should have a greater chance for success.

Minors may sound minor, but they’re not.

It’s no longer enough to just “go” to college; you need a winning game plan to graduate and create great career opportunities for your future. The proven Making College Count approach to college success can help! Learn more about Making College Counthere.